Cymbal plans to move the tree to a different site on the property as part of his plans for a three-tower project.

The city commissioner has already rejected a historical designation for the tree by a 7-2 vote, but Cymbal also faces a review by the Fort Lauderdale Planning & Zoning Committee.

Cymbal Development spokesman Seth Gordon said the city staff recommended a separate special hearing on marina lofts because of the public interest in the project. A date hasn't been set, but looks like it will be mid-May.

Cymbal's project would open up the New River to public access and help attract more young professionals. It would also be conveniently located to mass transit, such as the new Wave street car system coming to Fort Lauderdale.

That would tend to run counter to some of the protesters who say Cymbal doesn't have a stake as to whether the tree lives or dies.

I snapped a picture of the tree during a morning run a few weeks ago. The tree is indeed a fine specimen and is definitely worth saving, which is what both the protesters and Cymbal say needs to be done.

One of the points that I think is lost is that the tree is in a very obscure location at this point. It's tucked behind a chain link fence on a vacant lot, which makes it somewhat difficult to admire. Cymbal plans to move the tree to a more publicly prominent spot that won't be in the middle of a construction site.

Nearly an acre of land will be devoted to create a park-like setting for the tree, Gordon said.

There's a general fairness issue to how Cymbal is being portrayed. I'm not sure where the description of him as an "Israeli billionaire" came from. Cymbal told me he was born in Brooklyn and he may be worth a nice chunk of change, but I don't think he's near billionaire status.